Autophagy – process with two faces

Abstract

Autophagy is a process that is involved in the pathogenesis of cancer but also in the development of resistance or sensitivity to cytostatic treatment applied.

Until now, the issue is still unresolved if we should stimulate or inhibit the process of autophagy in cancer treatment through the use of appropriate anticancer therapy so that it is beneficial for the patient and induce remission of the disease. On the one hand autophagy as a mechanism of programmed cell death may also cause the death of tumor cells. On the other hand, as a defense mechanism is the process of cell survival strategy in stress situations such as hypoxia in the peripheral parts of the tumor or using cytostatic drugs.

It would be good to find an answer if the autophagy is the process increasing the effectiveness of therapy or increasing resistance to treatment in a case of specific tumor.